I was made to be a guy in a relationship, unlike Shane. I’ve always wanted a stable love life—again, unlike Shane. I grew up in a great home, unlike Shane, and dream about giving my future wife and kids all the privileges I was raised with. And more.

So, yeah. I’m a kickass boyfriend. Still friends with all my exes. Still always looking for the right girl to have a good relationship with.

I never thought I would share that with another dude, though. It never occurred to me to share a woman until we all kissed in the kitchen. I’m not a cuckold—I checked the internet and I don’t get off because I’m being humiliated. And I don’t think of sharing Penelope like she’s some kind of possession. It’s the chemistry between the three of us. It’s this feeling deep inside that feels real. Whether we’re naked and sticky or cuddled on the couch watching Mean Girls and eating ice cream.

But we break all the rules I thought were important to me, and I’m not sure how to deal with that.

The trip takes about three hours, and each mile we get quieter.

“We should tell your sister that you and Pen are dating,” Shane says, clearly having thought about it during the silences.

Penelope and I both answer in the negative.

Shane takes off his seatbelt and leans between our front seats. “Baby girl, you hate lying to Jenna. She’s your best friend. If you at least told her that part, you wouldn’t feel so bad. Some truth in the lying will ease your brain.”

I can see Penelope shaking her head violently from the corner of my eye. “She’s going to be mad that I kept it from her all this time, and it will spoil our time together for the whole break.”

“Tell her you just started dating Shane,” I offer. “It’s a new thing and you wanted to be sure about it before telling her.”

They both balk at that too.

“I’m not boyfriend material,” he protests.

Right. What does he think boyfriend material is exactly? He seems to be pretty good at it from what I’ve seen.

I want him to love her. I think maybe he does, but I’m afraid he’ll never let himself feel it. And if he gets too close to it, he’ll run. I’m not one to talk since it’s not like I’ve admitted my feelings to her either.

But it’s a package deal. I want us both to love her. I can’t explain it. I just do.

Before we get into town, I pull over at the end of an empty parking lot.